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'7 6 



The Fall of the Great Republic 



THROUGH THE 



Third Term Conspiracy. 



by 
A REPUBLICAN. 



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NEW YORK: 

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR BY 

G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 

1874. 

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by 

THE AUTHOR, 

In the Clerk's Office, of the District Court of the United States, in and 
for the Southern District of New York. 



v. 



OK 

HORACE GREELEY 

The People's Friend and Choice, 

AND 

The Chief of my Profession. 



PREFACE. 



The author's heart owes an apology to his head 
and the public, for publishing this hastily written 
brochure, in place of a long- conceived work, to be 
carefully prepared, and extended to embrace the 
history of the causes and influences which produced 
the rise of our Republic, to the time of the civil war, 
and, by contrasting them with those which have 
obtained since then, demonstrate the danger of its 
Fall. The downward march of events, however, has 
outstripped my time and pen, until, in unfeigned 
alarm at the immediate approach of this danger, I 
have been, perhaps, unduly persuaded by my feel 
ings and friends to publish the second part of my 
work first, and in outline only, in the humble and 
sincere hope that its logic and purpose may atone, to 
the public, for its want of literary style and merit, 
and that that purpose may not miscarry. The design 
is to show that, by gradual steps of departure from 
constitutional landmarks and by centralization of 
power in the present Presidential incumbent and 



6 PREFACE. 

" claimant," a portion of the once " Sovereign " States 
of the Union has been ruthlessly and utterly over- 
thrown. That, not only is the tendency to the com- 
plete overthrow of the whole, in time, inevitable, but 
that there is a conspiracy in existence for their 
gradual usurpation, and the establishment of a mili- 
tary despotism upon the ruins of the Republic. 

That the Third Term is the key to the plot, and to 
the power by which it is to be consummated ; and 
that the usurpation will not stop with the State, but 
that free suffrage and individual rights are also to be 
overthrown. 

That we are drifting on the nood-tide of corruption, 
bred of the supremacy of the money power, from one 
war inevitably into another, against — not the Union, 
as before, but against the Republic itself, unless 
the moral strength of this Third Term conspiracy is 
stamped out at once by popular indignation and 
alarm, and its support made odious and dangerous. 

That the military element is, by nature, hostile to 
and dangerous in the civil service of a Republic, 
and must be removed by making military men 
ineligible to the office of President at least, their 
right to which they must resign when they accept 
military honors from the Republic, in lieu of its civil 
honors. That what is and has been transpiring since 
the last Presidential election is and was part of this 



PREFACE. 7 

scheme, and that it had its origin in Presidential as- 
pirations, prior to that time. 

That what has followed was the legitimate effects 
of causes then existing ; that the sequence has been 
in natural order, and, unless those causes are removed, 
these effects must continue to their complete logical 
termination. 

In order that these premises may be established 
beyond argument or cavil, the conclusions admitted, 
and the people aroused to the imminence of their 
danger, the plot of the book, which represents the 
plot or conspiracy itself — step by step, in the order 
of occurrence or execution — is introduced in the 
Dream of Ulysses, written by the author immediately 
after the Philadelphia Convention of 1872. To the 
remarkable and alarming exactness and rapidity of 
the fulfilment of this dream especial attention is 
asked, as to its general outlines, if not to all its minor 
details. 

From such fulfilment of the author's predictions, 
or rather inductions, of two years ago, contained, not 
only in the dream, but also in the sequel, written im- 
mediately after that election, he now claims credence 
for his demonstration of the methods by which the 
plot is to be developed and pushed, and for the essen- 
tial fulfilment of his present, as well as his former 
predictions, or deductions. These admitted, the im- 



O PREFACE. 

perative duty of every man will appear, and the peo- 
ple rise as one man in patriotic and untiring effort, 
forgetting all parties, to overthrow the present 
"claimant" at the next election, if he cannot be 
driven by popular indignation to withdraw from the 
Presidential contest. 

That, to make this secure beyond chance, the peo- 
ple must be aroused to the danger at once, before 
public opinion is influenced on the Third Term ques- 
tion, by the making up of party issues, and the draw- 
ing of party lines ; while the people are free to think 
and act ; before party fealty is required, and the 
nominations are made. That the work must be done 
"before this, if at all, and the time is none too long. 
That if it is not done, ./foe elections may never be seen 
again, in this country, until a people's war shall re- 
store them. 

That, in the coming struggle between Liberty and 
Despotism, he that is not for the Republic and its 
principles is against it; and that there can be but two 
parties to the real and vital issue — the '"anti-Third 
Term," or the people's party of Liberty, and the anti- 
Republic, or office-holder's party of Despotism, de- 
bauched by plunder, and reeking with corruption 
and fraud. That this is the issue, big with fate to 
us, to the world, and to posterity ; and that it must 
be met squarely, and settled for all time to come, or 



PREFACE. 9 

Republican governments will have proved a failure, 
in the judgment of mankind. 

That, as to the present struggles going on between 
these same principles and powers in the South, the 
North must speak out, in tones that shall be heard 
and respected at Washington, or we shall wake up 
too late, with our hands bound by the same infamous 
chains, our ballot-boxes overturned by the same con- 
spirators, upheld by the same bayonets, commanded 
by this same " Third Term ' or Life " Claimant." 

Trust him not, North nor South ; nor Black nor 
White; a friend to none, betraying all, a common 
enemy. 

And when election day is o'er, 
When he is driven from the door, 
The White House to disgrace no more, 
Let laws be passed, to stand between 
Our homes and these disgraceful scenes. 
1* 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE DREAM 13 

CHAPTER II. 

24 
THE SEQUEL ** 

CHAPTER III. 
THE CONSPIRACY 28 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE COUP D'ETAT "^ 

CHAPTER V. 

THE PEOPLE'S LAST APPEAL 39 



'76: 

OK, 

THE FALL OF THE GREAT KEPUBLIO 

THROUGH THE 

THIRD TERM CONSPIRACY. 



CHAPTER I. 
the dream. 

Cajoled, and nattered by the hour, 

He smokes, and dreams of kingly power. 

I, Ulysses, once was told 
A hackneyed legend, quaint and old, 
Which makes a century near complete, 
Since Freedom won this proud retreat; 
Where human wisdom, ripe and pure, 
Framed model laws, that should endure, 
When thrones and crowns should melt away, 
And tyrants cease to spoil and prey ; 
When feudal lords should shrink in dread, 
Before this grand Republic's tread. 

Thus, dreamed its founders, years ago, 
And vainly men believed it so, 
When thrice, in blood, the compact sealed, 
A mighty war its strength revealed ; 



14 '76 : OK, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 



When Vict'rj led its conq'ring hosts, 
Till treason ceased, and rebel boasts 
Were heard no more throughout the land ; 
When Peace and Union, hand in hand, 
Had hovered o'er the North and South, 
With words of pardon in their mouth. 



To honor arms that saved the state, 
And stayed the tide of blood and hate, 
In gratitude, for conquered peace, 
This gen'rous people gave me lease 
Of power — because their soldiers' chief — 
Then turned from war, in glad relief, 
To win a prosperous, happy peace, 
And pay the war debt's vast increase. 
They left me at the helm of state, 
To close the ghastly wounds of hate ; 
Assigned the nation's power, in trust, 
To check corruption, fraud, and lust, 
Until a stipulated hour, 
I should return their lease of power, 
With full accounts of how 'twere used, 
So they might judge if 'twere abused. 
Before the lease could be renewed, 
My stewardship should be reviewed. 
But now — I have betrayed that trust ; 
Have fostered hatred, fraud, and lust ; 
Assumed my right to place and power 
Beyond that stipulated hour; 
Withheld the record of its use, 



? 76 : OR, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 15 

And then denied there is abuse ; 
Denied the right to be reviewed, 
And now demand that lease renewed, 
In name of party, at whose head 
I cling to power on issues dead ; 
Whose only plank — it is my last — 
Is but the record of the past. 



So long have I betrayed this trust, 

To gratify my greed and lust 

For gain, and name, and sov'reign power, 

That now 1 dread the parting hour, 

When to my shades I must return, 

For fortune ne'er again will earn 

Such place, and power, and wealth, and fame 

As chance has poured upon my name. 

If I permit the people's voice, 

They will reject my second choice. 

I am resolved, by Cabinet backed, 

To lobby through th' Enforcement act, 

The Civil Service — damn Reform ! 

If loyal members don't perform, 

I'll bring with fearful weight to bear 

My patronage, on those who dare 

Oppose the mandates of my will, 

And vote against the Ku Klux bill. 

Th' Enforcement act I must extend, 

And the Habeas Corpus writ suspend, 

For then my tools will have control, 

And keep my rivals from the poll, 



1G '76 : on, the fall of the great republic. 

And, should this fail — my vote prove " thin " — 

Could count them out, and count me in. 

This done, I will conceal my hand, 

But make it felt throughout the land. 

By ilatt'ry, threats, and force, and bribes, 

I will compel the venal tribes, 

Of ev'ry party, faith, and name, 

To help me win the coming game. 

The fierce campaign of Seventy-Two ; 

And then I care not what they do ; 

For ere the year of Seventy-Six 

I'll beat Napoleon at his tricks. 

A standing army then will be ; 

Election, but Plebiscite. 

And should this raise opposing might, 

My Gatling guns will make it right, 

When " Sovereign States," no more supreme, 

With National bayonets thickly gleam. 

'Tis but one step from money power, 

With which I rule the present hour. 

Thus, when my power grows well in hand, 

Backed up by my corrupted band 

Of Conklings, Mortons, Murphy s, Leets, 

With all the Kings of moneyed cheats, 

I'll spring my coup d'etat, and seize, 

Th' power — and wield it — till I please 

To make " Prince Grant," at whom they sneer, 

Our "English Cousin's" Royal peer; 

Our " Royal Family" be no joke, 

When all the plebeians wear our yoke, 

From Horace Greeley and Gratz Brown 



'76: OB, THE FALL OF THE GBEA.T REPUBLIC. 17 

To the laboring people down. 
The World and Tribune be suppressed; 
The Times be rich, and owned, and blessed ; 
The Sun have ceased to " shine for all," 
When Danas hear my Shepherd's call. 
The old Empress, will I revive, 
And on its Southern Power survive. 
George William C— he spared my Ring- 
Shall be " Whitewasher " to the King ; 
And ISTast, in Royal favor sport, 
The clown, and natt'rer to the Court 
Then Sumner, into exile sent, 
Shall be on Saint Domingo pent ; 
While Schurz — the rascal — I will choke, 
And stuff him for a German joke, 
To teach the Dutchmen, who rebel, 
A warning that will serve them well. 
All smaller foes in dungeons lie, 
But Horace Greeley — he shall die 
Beneath tlr Imperial guillotine. 
Oh ! how I long to view the scene ; 
And see John Brown, done up once more, 
With John left out and Gratz before. 
The people's guns would then be spiked, 
And I could manage as I liked. 
Then, treason would be odious, too, 
When none dare question what I do. 
The Fates I would command reversed, 
Proclaim myself Ulysses First, 
And found the House of Grant and Dent, 
With Royal rev'nues, to be spent 



18 J 7G : OR, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 

Iii Royal splendor, pomp, and state, 

And men will call me " Grant the Great." 

For " we " will make such grand display, 

Upon " our " Coronation Day, 

As jealous monarchs o'er the sea 

Will dread a new Xapoleon B. 

This proud Eepublic then will be 

An Empire vast, from sea to sea ; 

Enlarged, by treaty, to each pole, 

Through Fish, in his accomplished role. 

We'll then lock horns with Johnny Bull, 

Should he dare roar, and paw, and pull, 

And push him, till he begs and cries, 

And hastes to eat those " humble pies " 

He fed " us " on, when but a State, 

Before " we " were a potentate. 

This done — we'll roar across the straits, 

Demanding why France violates 

Her neutral obligations so, 

In selling arms to Mexico. 

And if she sues for humble peace 

"We" may extend her doubtful lease. 

And then we'll bellow at old Spain, 

Until she sues for peace again (?), 

And hastes to give up Doctor Hourd, 

Through mortal fear of being gored. 

" We " then should offer Germany, 

For sake of future harmony, 

Between " our " Empire of the West, 

And its rival of the East, 

Through Kaiser Wilhelm, lasting peace, 



'76: OR, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 19 

In matrimonial bond and lease. 

"Our" "Prince" Ulysses then shall be 

The son and heir of Germany. 

And " Princess " Nellie change her name 

To fill John Bull's desire for fame. 

And then, like Alexander, I 

For other worlds to conquer sigh. 



Princes then " our " kin will be, 

Quartered on the Treasury — 

For finance is " our " family forte — 

While Casey shall preside at Court. 

And Gould and Corbin use the State 

To "corner" Wall Street, and create 

" Black Fridays," and divide the cheat. 

While " we " shall " bull " and " bear " the " street." 

" We " shall be King of Wall Street then ; 

The richest King among all men. 

" Ours " will then no cottage be, 

But " Koyal Palace," by the sea. 

Murphy, be Lord Mayor of Cork, 

Roscoe Conkling, Duke of York, 

And Lord Chief Justice of the realm ; 

With Premier Morton at the helm, 

The Duke of " Hoosier " then create. 

The Yiscount Fish, my Chief of State 

And diplomat, so shrewd, astute, 

Of international dispute. 

"Old Ben Butler," Duke Orleans, 

Procurer of the Royal means, 



20 '76 : or, the fall of the great republic. 

And Keeper of the Royal " Spoons/' 
Commissioner of Ticks and Moons 
Shall Wilson be, the good old soul, 
Who played for u us " the labor rule. 
Porter, be the Head of War, 
And Dent, of the Interior. 
" Our " Minister of Customs, Leet, 
And Stocking, of the Royal Fleet. 
Badeau — " our " trusty, faithful aid — • 
A peer for life shall then be made ; 
Lord of the Records of the Ring, 
And Chief Historian to the King. 
Father Newman then shall be 
Archbishop of the Mormon See ; 
Privy Councillor to the Court, — 
Loyal Preacher — heavenly sport. 
Cameron hold the Treasury gate, 
And Boutwell have the Syndicate. 
Creswell keep the Royal Mails, 
And intercept disloyal tales. 
Cullen Bryant then shall sing, 
The Poet Laureate to the King ; 
The virtues of "our" reign rehearse, 
In Post, and in heroic verse. 
The Journal of Civilization (?) be 
The Journal of Court, to natter me ; 
For it has earned and proved the tale, 
That it and Curtiss are for sale. 
His model Civil Service then 
Will soon commend itself to men, 
When civil lists shall be increased 



'76 : OR, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 21 

A hundred thousand men at least. 



Till every village through the land 

Shall beat responsive to "our" wand. 

" We " thus would give support and place 

To all that servile, venal race 

Of office-seekers — who keep still 

While drinking of the public swill. 

A million men, at lowest rate, 

Will fodder at the crib of state, 

In army, navy, civil list, 

And these will keep the others whist. 

The friendly press be subsidized, 

But hostile papers, though disguised, 

Shall, on suspicion, be suppressed, 

And writers subject to arrest. 

Then will Royal pomp begin, 

And tli' glories of " our " reign set in ; 

" Our " Royal Stud be unsurpassed 

In horses fine and horses fast ; 

" Our" leash of hounds, of Royal blood, 

Fed on Royal, dainty food. 

The Central Park of York shall be 

"Our" Royal Park, where none but "we" 

Shall hunt, and breathe the fragrant air, 

And view the costly beauties there. 

While, fronting on its eastern gate, 

" Our " Royal Castle, grand and great, 

Shall rear its towers above the pile 

Of princely domes that grace the isle. 

Here, shall the seat of Empire move 

From Washington, when " we " approve ; 



22 '76 : ok, tup: fall of the great republic. 

For, when this era shall arrive, 

Connecting memories might revive 

A dangerous contrast to the state 

The Nation's Fathers did create. 

" Our " Summer Court at Long Branch be 

A pleasure palace by the sea. 

" Our " Winter fetes eclipse afar, 

In regal splendor and eclat, 

The dazzling fetes Napoleon held 

Before he was from France expelled. 

" Our " Nobles be no Lords by birth, 

Nor men of learning, nor of worth ; 

But Dukes, created by " our " word ; 

By money raised above the herd. 

Dependant thus, none would object 

To power supreme, and "we," unchecked, 

Could draw the reins upon " our " friends, 

Should they aspire, or thwart " our " ends. 

More absolute will be " our " power 

Than any despot's of the hour. 

Above " our " friends, beyond their reach, 

No earthly power could " us " impeach. 

The only road, left to repeal, 

Were revolution's last appeal. 

" Our " guillotine shall guard this well ; 

And none escape who once rebel. 

And yet there is a dread I feel, 

Of the assassin's midnight's steel ; 

Or that some Brutus shall arise 

And quick avenge their liberties. 

Yet, scarce will yield this venal age 



'76 : OK, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 23 

A man like Brutus, or engage 

Such Roman courage— Roman pride ; 

But, should it chance, none such shall hide 

Beneath the robes "our" Senate wear. 

In exile shall such spirits bear 

The dreadful curse of Royal hate ; 

Thus rid " our " Kingdom of the great, 

No leaders left, we would corrupt 

All venal souls that might disrupt ; 

When public morals have become 

Far more debauched than ancient Rome. 

Established thus in fav'ring hour, 

"We" would transmit "our" sovereign power, 

And place " our " son upon the throne 

Of this great State, by " us" o'erthrown. 

New York, June, 1872. 



CHAPTEK II. 



TIIE SEQUEL. 



And now this fierce campaign is past ; 
The ship of State is grounding fast ; 
Although not wrecked, she may be sunk 
By crew debauched — with victory drunk, 
The smoke of battle clears away 
To leave this dreamer still in sway. 
Before — few stopped to think — reflect — 
But blindly fought to re-elect ; 
Spurred on by party whip and pen, 
And led by office-holding men. 
Forgot the safety of the State, 
Incited by misguided hate 
Of men, while principles were lost, 
Or simply worth the sums they cost. 
But action, now, gives place to thought, 
Which should have led the men who wrought 
The work their cooler judgments doubt. 
For, since they put their foes to route, 
They dread far less proposed amends, 
Than evils breeding with their friends. 
The victors e'en begin to fear 
While shouts of victory fill the ear; 
And, ere they die upon the air, 
They shudder lest the fruits it bears 



'70 : or, the fall of the great republic. 25 

Shall turn to ashes on their lips, 
And Freedom reel, in wine that drips 
From wounds, to which they closed their eyes, 
Before it was too late to rise, 
And since, corruption planned the scheme 
Foretold so truly, in his dream, 
Writ months ago before the vote 
Had proved the truth of what was wrote. 
His dream, thus far, has been fulfilled ; 
The scheme has carried as he willed. 
He has secured the people's voice, 
Although against that people's choice ; 
And claims this is a final bar 
To all complaints that were, or are. 
With vict'ry flushed, his stubborn will 
Shall brook less opposition still ; 
And should the purpose move his soul, 
By slow approaches, to control 
The powers supreme throughout the land, 
What law would stay his ruthless hand, 
Should he another war provoke, 
To raise an army — and invoke 
Its aid — corrupted first, by gold ? 
France thus was twice betrayed and sold 
By tyrants, worse than those who, born 
To power and honor, would but scorn 
To plunder those they would oppress 
And plunge a nation in distress. 
Trained in war's despotic art, 
The tyrant lives, within his heart. 
In his dark bosom, who can tell 
2 



26 '76 : or, the fall of the great republic. 

The thoughts on which his mind may dwell ? 

Ambition may his silence feed ; 

His lucky star may still succeed. 

And shall we be deceived, like France, 

By yain conceits, that no such chance 

Could overthrow this sovereign State, 

Until it be, alas ! too late ? 

We boast of our intelligence ; 

Of our uncommon common-sense ; 

And, nattered by the pleasing theme, 

Believe the people are supreme. 

In these delusions dangers rest ; 

We are on par with France, at best ; 

While, in its practice, England is 

Far more advanced in liberties. 

Our masses fail to see the net 

In which they're caught ; or, soon forget. 

They have no care, or will not see 

They are but mocked with liberty. 

Or, if they see, they will endure, 

Robbed of their rights, and insecure, 

Until their wrongs are so extreme, 

Their last resort, is, to redeem 

What they have lost, by force and blood, 

Which were maintained, had they but stood 

Like Europe's peoples, jealous, wise, 

To watch, and check all foul emprise. 



Go to our polls, and there behold 
What suffrages are bought and sold 



'76 : 0E, THE FALL OF THE GEE AT EEPUBLIC. 27 

And then, come own with me, in shame, 
Our liberties are but in name. 
For, like to sheep, the mass are led 
By black bell wethers at their head. 
With all this brutal force at hand, 
Wealth to corrupt it at command ; 
Time and purpose only wait 
To overthrow this mighty State, 
Unless the people burst the chains 
Of greed, that hold them in their pains ; 
For dang'rous breakers roll ahead, 
And yet may roar above our dead, 
In revolution's dread alarms, 
Opposed by patriots, massed in arms 
To save the freedom of the State, 
Which peaceful means deferred too late. 
His dream may all yet prove as true, 
As that transpired, in mouths so few. 
Some healing balm at first may soothe 
Opposing elements, and smoothe 
This low pretender's stealthy way, 
To power supreme and kingly, sway. 
His Civil Service and Reform 
May serve the people's hearts to warm ; 
And this may be his treacherous sop ; 
But he will not, like Judas, stop, 
Nor, in remorse, return the gold 
For which his country has been sold. 

New York, November 15, 1872. 



CHAPTEE III. 



THE CONSPIRACY. 



And must Republics breed this blot — 
Corruption's plague — and die of rot ? 
Have we a brood of Cat'lines here 
Without one Cicero to fear ? 
No Consul pure, but Caesar small, 
With Caesar's Senate in his thrall ? 
The time for doubtful words has past ; 
Our chains are being swiftly cast. 
Behold our sister, New Orleans ; 
Let each State ask what all this means. 
A few months more, and all is lost 
Unless we overthrow this host — 
This scum of war — who rule the hour 
With all corruption's deadly power. 
Ulysses now unfolds his dream, 
As times and chance invite the scheme. 
His silence breaks, which held at rest 
Our doubts and fears, until the test, 
By cautious friends had been applied, 
The people's temper fully tried, 
Before he asks them to extend 
His term and power, to grasp his end. 
Meanwhile, by flatt'ry of his name, 
They claim, the nation owes his fame, 



'76 : OR, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 

Some special tribute — sucli eclat — 

As one exception in the law 

Unwritten — yet with power to bind 

A Washington, and all behind — 

A line of noble men and true, 

A law none would, or dared, undo ; 

A sacred right, whose breach was harm; 

At which the people took alarm, 

From such suggestions of bad faith, 

Until Ulysses, nothing saith ; 

When people said " the fools have brought 

The question up without his thought. 

He wants it not ; the scribes are mad ; 

Would make us think Ulysses bad." 

But they forget the fatal play, 

When e'en a Caesar put away 

The crown his flatterers would have laid 

Before the people, soon betrayed. 

Meanwhile, the Herald fawned and frowned, 

Alternate, crawling on the ground 

Before its " Caesar," set on high ; 

Then, soaring in the people's eye, 

Caught up their patriotic cry, 

And " Down with Caesar, let him die 

This great Republic would o'erthrow." 

Then, stealthy to his councils go, 

And come away to spread the rot, 

The secret organ of the plot ; 

Insuring thus its own retreat, 

In case the scheme should bring defeat, 

And it should fail, itself to sell, 



29 



30 '76 : OR, THE FALL OF THE GEE AT REPUBLIC. 

When it has sold its patrons well, 
And played the game of confidence 
Upon the people's trusting sense. 



This pricked the Graphic's needy ear, 
As this was not ascension year ; 
For Good-sell's power and money soon 
Went higher up than his balloon. 
Thus he sought employment, hence 
This office of « Intelligence ; " 
This Third-Terra Bureau, on Broadway, 
Where Junior Bennett now holds sway. 
In humble accents, Good-sell plead, 
" Give me a crust of Third-Term bread, 
And I will not cartoon you more, 
Nor print that placard * o'er your door." 
At this the gallant knight stood still 
And shed the mighty goose's quill ; 
Then smiled, and seemed to be appeased, 
And said the wish his purpose pleased. 
He was to be the Great High Priest 
To call the people to the feast, 
And play the high and moral rule, 
Till Grant could get them in control. 
To do the bloody work, and grind, 
Grant's own { * M&public" comes behind. 
But some cheap man the party needs 
To " whitewash " its offensive deeds. 

* " The Intellectual Department of the Herald. 



5 76 : OR, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 31 

This you can do — some crumbs will fall — 

These you can have if true through all, 

By " Graphic Process " you inflate 

This new balloon with gas of state ; 

JSTor rip the canvass, nor collapse, 

Disgusting people with our traps. 

Obsequious Good-sell bowed, agreed, 

And said these crumbs were grateful feed. 

Forthwith his sheet became inspired 

With Third-Term zeal he thus acquired. 

With these, Grant's busy claqioers chimed. 

" Discussion foolish, and ill-timed," 

Said all, yet kept it rife, and stirred, 

That both the theme and plan be heard, 

Until familiar with the thought, 

Our Third-Term fears be brought to naught. 

Thus silently they cleared the way, 

In summer's solstice, when its ray 

Unnerves the watchful minds of men, 

Whose only foe is Cancer then. 

Thus, night and day, they plotted deep 

Against the people, lulled to sleep, 

Until at last their scheme is ripe, 

To lower the flag beneath its stripe, 

So soon as summer ceased to burn, 

When autumn days and strength return. 



The muzzles were already wrought 
By which the Press was to be taught, 
When guileless Poland — faithful knight — 



32 '70 I OE, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 

Was still alive, in buttons bright. 

An organ, next, was sought, nor found 

This " man of silence," so profound ; 

For none of power dared grind with will 

His tares within the people's mill. 

Ulysses then was wroth, and drank, 

And swore to turn his own sweet crank, 

With Treasury gold, to buy and grind 

An organ that should suit his mind, 

Within the great metropolis, 

Its field and purpose simply this. 

He searched it long, and searched in vain, 

Compelled, at last, he reared his fane. 

" HepuMic " is its title, free, 

Chosen for his treachery ; 

Presided o'er by geniuses, 

Create by this Mephistopheles ; 

Unknown, till, by his magic wand, 

They burst their swaddling breach and band, 

And blossomed forth, without distress, 

These royal lions of the Press, 

To overawe its feeble sense, 

And break its mighty influence. 

Ills editors are made, not born / 

E'en learning they despise with scorn, 

Pefits their " great and silent chief," 

"Whose " genius " stand in strange relief 

Against the pigmies of the land, 

AVhose race and minds could once command 

Respect, before his "genius" rose. 

These now stand back, and wait for those 



'76 : OK, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 33 

Whose "genius" supersedes our brain ; 
Whose muscle o'er our mind has lain ; 
War's evil Genius and its "Dream," 
Its " Golden Age," its brute regime. 
From this hour hence occasions grew, 
And time stayed not, but swiftly flew; 
The plot straight forth developed fast, 
And each bold step outdid the last. 
New York, September, 1874. 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE COUP DETAT. 



Now to my party I will say, 

'Tis useless to dispute my sway ; 

I euchred you — you made it black, 

I hold your Joker, Left, and Jack. 

Here is my hand, the trick is mine ; 

Submit, or I will build a shrine 

On which your homes, your lives and flag 

Shall burn to ashes — worthless rag ! 

For I will kindle war again, 

And rear a throne with arms and men, 

Where this Republic stood before. 

The people are supreme no more. 

With all disguise I soon shall cease ; 

It served me well — 6 Let us have peace.' 



To horse, my knights, the times grow kind; 

My organs shall keep guard behind. 

Election day approaches fast, 

Halt not, but ride till it is past. 

No foreign war could I invoke, 

Nor petty nation thus provoke, 

Where Congress would sustain my hand, 

And place the war-power at command. 



'70 : OR, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 35 

Tims am I left this last resort, 
With fiends and black men to consort ; 
Precipitate, with deep disgrace, 
A cruel war, a war of race, 
Upon our brethren of the South, 
Left powerless in the demon's mouth, 
Which party fastened on its neck ; 
Which has devoured all left by wreck 
Of dreadful war. This scourge of peace 
The South has borne without release ; 
These nine long years, in patience borne, 
Such tyrannies as would have torn 
A Northern State long since with war. 
This patience now we scourge them for. 
Pretexts else, we waited long, 
With galling laws, to tempt to wrong ; 
Yet all, they bore in silent pain ; 
We watched for some excuse in vain ; 
Pretexts now we must invent 
To drive them into discontent, 
And fix on them some gross offence, 
That, in the name of law's defence, 
The army hence I may command, 
To hold the polls within my hand. 
When Congress shall assemble next, 
I first will make these ills the text 
For opening up the war again, 
To raise a standing army then, 
And garrison both South and West ; 
Hold " Whites" and " Indians" at rest, 
And keep the Blade Hills out of harm. 



36 '76 : oe, the fall of the great republic. 

Meanwhile I will incite alarm 

Through Indian Rings and agents there, 

And bring about an " Indian war;" 

Which Custer's raid was to invoke, 

And lawless miners may provoke. 

A frontier army guard the West, 

And on the Mississippi rest, 

Whose entrance now is in control ; 

The base and key to hold the whole. 

With this reserve, to wait or do, 

The South, I then will hot pursue. 

I have already there the tools ; 

The Knaves to guide my willing fools — 

The Blacks — both spoiling for a fight, 

That they may plunder left and right. 

These forces I have all in hand, 

Faithful to my least command ; 

For a Carpet-baggers " I protect, 

Whom fraud nor negro votes elect. 

Durells and Kelloggs live by me ; 

While Casey s thick lie round to see, 

And keep them loyal unto me ; 

Whom but my word permits to be. 

A breath from me and they would die ; 

But th' people then would rule— not I. 

Hence, robbers answer best my ends, 

So— noble Knights— embrace these friends 

And through the South the firebrand sow; 

( 'nst it wide nor cast it slow. 

Liouse hate, revenge, and wars of race, 

Till I shall intervene, by grace, 



'76: OR, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 37 

To stop these feuds, and in this wise 

Hold Whites and Blacks by compromise, 

As friends to use as I may will. 

Hence, I shall kill the Civil Bill ; 

And o'er the South my sway extend, 

Its Vulture and its " mutual friend." 

The South subdued, the North comes next, 

With slight delay, to breed pretext ; 

Plundered first by robber's rule. 

I have a "carpet-bagger's " school 

In every little town, and great, 

Well trained, e'en now, to rob the State. 

One half the North they now control 

By Fed'ral aid, and will the whole 

So soon as troubles shall arise 

Between the people and my spies — 

To some rash act, at last provoked — 

When Fed'ral aid will be invoked, 

And more Durells and Kelloggs grown 

On ruined States, by arms o'erthrown. 

Thus, one by one, these " Sov'reign States " 

Will be usurped, time only waits 

To stop the ballot-boxes' mouth 

By marshals, armed, as in the South. 

Then, when the North is overturned, 

She may remember how she spurned 

Her Southern Sisters in their woes, 

And met their helpless pleas with blows, 

To hold her party fast in power ; 

And thought to use me for the hour. 

iMv hand shall turn, in ruthless scorn, 



38 '76 : or, the fall of the great republic. 

Against the North, when helpless shorn. 
She sowed the whirlwind for the weak ; 
That whirlwind soon will smite her cheek. 
Her liberties shall be her graves ; 
Her venal sons shall be my slaves. 
New York, October, 1874. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE PEOPLE'S LAST APPEAL. 

Stay — countrymen — e'er Freedom's boast 

And all our Liberties are lost. 

Shall freemen thus despise the grave 

Of sire and son who died to save 

The laws and homes the Fathers gave, 

And brake the shackles of the slave % 

"We — cast their pearls before these swine, 

A sacrifice upon the shrine, 

They busy plot, in stealth, to rear, 

Before the people rouse with fear ? 

Arise— ye Fathers — from the dead, 

And save the land for which ye bled. 

Adjure thy sons to rise, and stand 

For Freedom, won by thy brave baud. 

Drive back these tyrants o'er the Styx, 

Beyond the bounds thy blood did fix ; 

Back, where all fiends and tyrants dwell 

In royal shades of Earth or Hell. 

Hurl them down Columbia's heights, 

"Whence they would cast our dearest rights. 

Plant Freedom's standard firm, once more, 

Upon Columbia's sacred shore, 

Where tyrants e'er have breathed their death ; 



40 '76 : ok, the fall of the great republic. 

Where Freed om V air is fatal breath 

For treacherous soldiers, and for kings 

Who breed corruption, and its rings, 

And then, in turn, upon them feed, 

To gratify their lust and greed. 

Let Freedom's air, these war-plagues purge, 

On which, doth live this cankerous scourge. 

Thy shades may then return in peace, 

When thou hast thus renewed the lease 

Of Liberty, and rights to men, 

And tyrants cease, nor spoil again. 

When all who plot against this State 

Shall have endured an Arnold's fate ; 

Nor Arnolds linger, un condemned ; 

Nor Burrs be left with power to lend. 

Let not Oblivion hide their shame, 

But by-words be their hated name, 

Who would betray the people's trust, 

To gratify ambitious lust ; 

Who would o'erthrow the proudest State 

The World e'er saw, in Freedom great. 

Let men be men — stop this excess ; 

And cease to worship brute success. 

Expose no more our rights to shame, 

By natt'ring martial men, and fame. 

They but pull down what we build up ; 

And little talent fills the cup 

Of his success who would destroy. 

While, to create, mankind employ 

The greatest geniuses of time ; 

Unseen they may be, vet sublime, 



'76 : OR, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 41 

And God-like in their mould and mind ; 

Creators for the human kind. 

But men of war, and cheap success, 

In what the world delights to bless, 

Are those who share the fiend's delight, 

And but undo what God made right. 

A soldier may combine these gifts, 

Who levels first, then upward lifts, 

And makes it better than before ; 

But Grant destroyed, and nothing more. 

He earned his name, for such success — 

" The Butcher, of the Wilderness." 

This line divides the race of men 

h\ every calling, every kin. 

" Success " is, therefore, not a test ; 

The meanest men are oftenest blest. 

Cease, then, to bow to brutal force ; 

Nor adulate his selfish course. 

From this degrading worship rise — 

Restore our ancient liberties. 

Rid us of this Hydra head, 

And, with it, all the woes it bred ; 

And let no soldier hence aspire 

Our civil honors to acquire. 

To choice, let both be open still, 

But, once accepted, he that will 

Have martial honors and a name 

Resigns his right to civil fame. 

Ambitious captains then shall feed 

No more upon the nation's need. 

Republics thus were ever schooled, 



42 '76 : or, the fall of tiie great republic. 

Not one has stood by soldiers ruled. 

Hence laws must be that shall forbid 

Another, when of this one rid. 

Rise, then, in strength, like patriots true, 

Up — this mighty purpose to pursue ; 

Nor rest until Election day 

Shall hurl this dreamer from his sway. 

The " rebels" now are those in power ; 

Disguised, their arms usurp the hour. 

Then wait for Sumter's guns no more, 

But beard this monster at the door, 

And cast its carcass in the mud, 

Before it calls for letting blood. 

This is the people's last appeal 

To ballots free — next comes the steel, 

And wreck of war, all that is left 

When once of Liberties bereft. 

Our enginery of war and peace 

He holds intact, nor would release 

Until we stopped his cannon's mouth, 

And then — what then ! we, like the South, 

In ruin left, could not emerge 

For scores of years from war's fierce scourge. 

Oh, Freemen, listen ! Cease your strife 

For party spoils ; for death or life 

To this Republic now impend, 

Which Freedom calls us to defend. 

Arise, before another flood 

Shall bear away our bravest blood. 

This tyrant's hand is on our throat ; 

Rest not, nor let a moment float. 



'76 : OR, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 

Alas ! One hundred years— this all 

Of Liberty before the Fall \ 

What dreadful portents, then, are these ? 

Whence evil omens we appease % 

Why seek our fears to cover o'er — 

These strange coincidents ignore \ 

Why strive to banish from our mind 

This horrid spectre of mankind ? 

Is this the land of Washington % 

Are these the liberties he won— 

The " Father of his country's " praise? 

This, his successor, who betrays % 

This, Charon grim— the Eiver Styx 

He drives us o'er in " Seventy-six?" 

It guarded long, Columbia's shore ; 

No Charon dared it cross before, 

Nor leave the tyrant's loathsome shades. 

Before him now our watch-fire fades, 

And Freedom's light dies on our shore; 

While, waiting at Inferno's door, 

His ministers conduct us— led 

To torments which our Fathers fled. 

From whence come all this ugly brood % 

War's evil genii, sharp for food, 

Have bred this curse— this side the Styx— 

To overthrow our " Seventy-Six." 

E'en on that sacred year's return, 

Its " Declaration" they would spurn ; 

And desecrate its holy name, 

By tyrant's rule, and freeman's shame ; 

And make a byword of our name, 



43 



44 '76 : ok, the fall of the geeat republic. 



Once honored for its virtue's fame. 

Thus, all our sacred names are used ; 

The people's confidence abused, 

And e'en our once great party's name 

Is used to consummate our shame. 

The power it won in Freedom's cause 

Is now subverting all our laws. 

It crushed the " rebel," freed the slave, 

And now is used to dig the grave, 

And forge the chains, for Black and White. 

And North and South, with ev'ry right. 



Our Commerce languishes, and lies 

With sailless masts against the skies. 

Our Industries, with doubtful strife, 

Yet cling to feeble hopes of life. 

Our Labor waits to be employed, 

And all the wheels of Trade are cloyed. 

Our Agriculture groans and cries 

Until indignant Grangers rise. 

Our willing hands, to delve or carve, 

Are idle left, to steal, or starve. 

E'en Capital, with silent dread, 

Shrinks back, and hides from storms ahead. 

>«'<> grand projections now are laid, 

And progress through our land is stayed. 



Whose faithless hands control such power ? 
Why such forebodings fill the hour? 



'76 : OB, THE FALL OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC. 45 

'Tis Treason ! ! Speak, while we have lease— 
This is no time to hold our peace ; 
Arise, before we lose control, 
And Revolutions o'er us roll. 

New York, October, 1874. 



THE END. 



~ 



'76 \ w 



'•> IT"* 



The Fall of tie Great Republic 



r J 



THROUGH THE 



Third Term Conspiracy. 



BY 

A REPUBLICAN. 



NEW YORK: 

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR BY 

G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 
1874. 



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